Aspiring online business owners quickly get frustrated at the
lack of results that they get from their efforts. But it's not
impossible to succeed if you know what to do. Read on to learn more.
Here are the 3 major challenges:
Technology
Suppose you wanted to create a website, but you don't have the money to hire expensive web designers and coders. You will likely come to the conclusion that you need to do it yourself. Before there was a concept known as Content Management Systems came about, you would need to learn the main language of the web called Hypertext Markup Language or HTML.
In and of itself, HTML is not difficult to learn. But the bigger challenge came from trying to get the HTML coded in such a way as to look great. Most budding web designers had a terrible go of it. The realization often set in that web designers were needed after all.
But then the concept of a Content Management System (CMS) entered the arena and was a complete game changer. This concept allowed business owners to focus on creating content while allowing the CMS to handle all of the design and functional aspects of the website.
There are many software packages (most of them free) that can address this CMS concept, but the biggest one by a long shot, is WordPress. Essentially what WordPress provides "plug and play" components that allow just about anyone to create a website in a very short period of time.
There is a small learning curve associated with WordPress but you can rest assured that it is very small. With the proper training, you can be ready to go in about one day. This truly solves the technology issues that are associated with online business.
Traffic
Getting people to your website can be a very daunting task, especially the ever growing competition associated with running an online business. But this issue is not impossible to manage. It just takes a bit more finesse these days.
The best advice I can offer with respect to this is to stay away from all the pitches that promise instant traffic or other such nonsense. These only serve to get you in trouble with search engines (and sometimes even the law). These kinds of products and tactics used to work pretty well. But the search engines (especially Google) have gotten wise to these techniques. If you choose to employ these methods be aware that you will probably get your website banned.
The tricky part of all this is that the techniques may actually work for a little while. And that is why they still exist on the market. If you try some of the techniques you may find your website's traffic increasing. But it really only is a matter of time before the Google bots discover what you are up to and then it's game over.
Engaging Content
What do you like to read when you browse the web? And what happens when you come across a blog that just doesn't cut it? If you can imagine both scenarios then you have what you need to provide engaging content. Every blog post or web page that you create should be done with your ideal reader in mind. If it doesn't pass your own criteria for quality, it shouldn't be posted.
Never post something just for the sake of having more content. Post something great, each and every time. Ask yourself what is different about your post or is it just something that was rehashed from some other blog? It's okay to expand upon someone else's post. But make sure you add your unique spin.
Here are the 3 major challenges:
- Technology
- Traffic
- Engaging Content
Technology
Suppose you wanted to create a website, but you don't have the money to hire expensive web designers and coders. You will likely come to the conclusion that you need to do it yourself. Before there was a concept known as Content Management Systems came about, you would need to learn the main language of the web called Hypertext Markup Language or HTML.
In and of itself, HTML is not difficult to learn. But the bigger challenge came from trying to get the HTML coded in such a way as to look great. Most budding web designers had a terrible go of it. The realization often set in that web designers were needed after all.
But then the concept of a Content Management System (CMS) entered the arena and was a complete game changer. This concept allowed business owners to focus on creating content while allowing the CMS to handle all of the design and functional aspects of the website.
There are many software packages (most of them free) that can address this CMS concept, but the biggest one by a long shot, is WordPress. Essentially what WordPress provides "plug and play" components that allow just about anyone to create a website in a very short period of time.
There is a small learning curve associated with WordPress but you can rest assured that it is very small. With the proper training, you can be ready to go in about one day. This truly solves the technology issues that are associated with online business.
Traffic
Getting people to your website can be a very daunting task, especially the ever growing competition associated with running an online business. But this issue is not impossible to manage. It just takes a bit more finesse these days.
The best advice I can offer with respect to this is to stay away from all the pitches that promise instant traffic or other such nonsense. These only serve to get you in trouble with search engines (and sometimes even the law). These kinds of products and tactics used to work pretty well. But the search engines (especially Google) have gotten wise to these techniques. If you choose to employ these methods be aware that you will probably get your website banned.
The tricky part of all this is that the techniques may actually work for a little while. And that is why they still exist on the market. If you try some of the techniques you may find your website's traffic increasing. But it really only is a matter of time before the Google bots discover what you are up to and then it's game over.
Engaging Content
What do you like to read when you browse the web? And what happens when you come across a blog that just doesn't cut it? If you can imagine both scenarios then you have what you need to provide engaging content. Every blog post or web page that you create should be done with your ideal reader in mind. If it doesn't pass your own criteria for quality, it shouldn't be posted.
Never post something just for the sake of having more content. Post something great, each and every time. Ask yourself what is different about your post or is it just something that was rehashed from some other blog? It's okay to expand upon someone else's post. But make sure you add your unique spin.
